Pre-Production Samples + Video

Things are moving fast in Pebble land. We're progressing rapidly through our Engineering Verification test stages. We've been spending a lot of time in Asia working with our manufacturing team and the various vendor factories that are supplying parts for Pebble. Two weeks ago, we did a sample build of Pebble with the full assembly line. The output of that sample build was a few of the first assembly line manufactured Pebbles!

Note:

Pebble is not in mass production yet. These sample Pebbles are from an early pre-production test build. We only turned the assembly line on for one day to test the process.

One of the first Pebbles off the test assembly line. Check out the video above for a closer look!

A view of the test assembly line

Soldering the battery to the main printed circuit board (PCB)

David (tall guy from Dragon) examining the vibrating-motor-into-case assembly process

You can view the high resolution versions of all these images and more in this album.

Roadmap

Environmental Testing

Now that we have more complete sample Pebbles to work with, we're beginning environmental testing. This means putting Pebble through its paces and seeing how the hardware holds up in a variety of everyday (and not so everyday) conditions. Here are just a few of the tests that Pebble is undergoing:

We can confirm that the issue we were having with the antenna (Update 18) has been conquered! The latest samples have vastly improved range and meet all of our requirements. Originally, our design included a chip antenna (similar to this), a simple antenna that's easy to use. But after testing back in August showed degradation of the signal inside a test Pebble, we redesigned the radio-frequency (RF) path. We switched to a custom-built antenna solution that uses metal traces positioned to be higher above the bottom of the watch, allowing the RF signal to be clear of water-filled cylinder that is a human wrist.

2-3 test builds remaining before mass production

Before we get into mass production (ie manufacturing all 85,000 Pebbles), we have several more test builds to complete. A test build is when we get the whole assembly line into place and manufacture/assemble a batch (normally around 50-300) of Pebbles. These test builds give us the chance to test the end-to-end manufacturing process, catching problems, testing new solutions and eliminating bugs. These are our major opportunities to revise and fix any problems with the design or manufacturing process, so we're being extremely diligent and careful.

Testing different variations of batteries, vibrating motors and backlight modules

For example, we have several different vendors lined up to provide components for Pebble like the vibrating motor, battery and flexible printed circuit (FPC). In these test builds, we are qualifying each vendor's components and making sure that they are suitable for us to use. Having multiple vendors available for high risk components allows us to switch one component out for another in mass production if issues or delays arise with that specific part.

Color Pebbles

Check out the video to see a few samples of the color Pebbles. We aren't happy with the precise colors, so we're still working on tweaking the plastics. As soon as we're happy with the colors, we'll post high resolution photos in a future update.

T-shirts giveaway!

Here's your chance to get one of our cool 'Meet Pebble' t-shirts that I was wearing in the video. All you have to do is tell us what you're planning on doing with your Pebble ("Checking email while paragliding" or "Skipping music tracks from the bath tub" or even "Writing an app to control the sun..."). Post your answer in the comments section below. We'll choose our 10 favourite answers and give the responder a red or grey a 'meet pebble' t-shirt (their choice).

I'm a journeyman bricklayer, and everything about my work is toxic to electronics. Cement dust, water, mud, and fingers embedded with mortar and sand, can mess up my iPhone in a hurry. Pebble is the perfect solution. Knowing who's calling, texting or emailing without digging the phone out from the pocket or the bag will help keep it in working order. The phone still won't come out of it's case, but the peace of mind knowing who's calling without reaching to get it every five minutes is invaluable. Not to mention that I might be able to use Pebble as a BT controller, leave the phone plugged in to the job radio, and listen/control the music without touching the phone (did I see volume control??), this thing is genius!

Well I want to through my hat in the race for a cool t-shirt... but I don't really have a cool story about what I'll do with the pebble except for what it's meant to do. I a lowly tech geek who just loves new gadgets and electronics that will save me time and hassle.
As far as the "delay" in manufacturing goes? I much prefer getting this a couple of months late and knowing that it's been tested and works. That said, December is just around the corner and this would make an excellent present to myself ;-)

I'm not allowed to pull out my smartphone during work to check messages as they come in. The Pebble will eliminate suspicious looks and work related warnings from my manager. The extra wait time for the Pebble to be shipped to me is actually a good thing. It will allow me sufficient time to think of all the excuses I'll need to tell my boss, why I am always looking at my watch. :)

I plan on showing off my Pebble to the crooks Im arresting as I apply the handcuffs to them. It'll go something like this "you are under arrest and oh by the way have you seen my new really cool Pebble watch, it connects to my iphone to keep me updated on everything!"

Hello Pebble team, having just watched the update it's probably worth bearing in mind that while there are a lot of people out here clamouring for their product, there are probably many more of us who are content to wait while you get it right...! Chin up, chaps!

As for the t-shirt contest, besides all the functionalities already mentioned (controlling iphone music, reading texts and mails, using gps, etc) I'll be using my Pebble on a home automation project I'm already working on. I hope to have it quickly working on my bluetooth stack to control lights, curtains, air conditioning, ambient music, alarm and many other things. I think I'll need extra support from you guys in the near future ;)

I'm going to integrate it with my arduino/ruby/iphone toilet flusher. http://www.youtube.com/watch… , the kinect voice control needs to go anyways. Then I'm going to create an app for https://www.botqueue.com to show the status of my 3d printers. After that I might have time to integrate it with an arduino controlled bbq smoker controller. Gotta keep an eye on the meats. Then I'll integrate my Nest thermostat into it as well.

Aside from looking flashy and swaggerific with the matching Pebble watches my boyfriend and I will have? I'll hopefully get to use it to for swimming training! And changing the music while I'm out for a jog. Oh, and checking if I should answer my phone when my hands are tied. Oh, oh, I'll use it to control people's minds after someone makes that app. That's going to be an app. Right? :D

By the way, things are looking great! :D So glad that you guys aren't rushing this project. I'd rather wait a long time for something amazing than get the Pebble watch early when it's not ready. :[

Hey guys, I used the Time Travel With Pebble app on my Pebble X to send you an important message from the year 2022: You did not choose my comment as one of your favorite answers so the llamas are taking over world (they have already conquered half of the continents) and the penguins are surpassing us in nuclear weapon tech. GIVE ME A T-SHIRT FOR THE SAKE OF MANKIND!!!

I'd like to use it when I'm riding on my bike or using it for hiking in high mountains in China, such as the highest mountain of the world "The Godwin Austen" of Baltoro Karakoram. I hope to get it sooner before my journey begins because my plan is getting hot to set foot onto those hills.

Mainly, avoid using my phone while driving thus improving safety!
And as normal usage I will use it to improve my iPhone experience every day! Now I wont have to take out my phone during meetings just to see who sent an email or what type of notification I am receiving.
While doing some spinning or hiking I cant have same as above plus important data about my workout!